Boyd Chibale retains NATAAZ chairmanship

NKWETO MFULA, Chingola
NATIONAL Theatre Arts Association of Zambia (NATAAZ)Â incumbent national chairman Boyd Kaimbi Chibale has returned his seat after beating two rivals, Bob Nkosha and Mwepu Kabungwe.
Chibale got 108 votes, while Mwepu and Nkosha, aka Dorika, managed a paltry 18 and 15 votes respectively.
National Arts Council of Zambia director Adrian Chipindi declared Chibale winner at Chingola Arts Society after the 2016 NATAAZ festival.
Chibale has pledged to work extra hard and resolve the many challenges facing NATAAZ.
He expressed happiness for the confidence the artists have shown in him by re-electing him.
â€œFor me to keep the confidence the people have in me, I have to deliver, we are going to put in the best we can to deliver and sort out the many challenges faced by the association,â€ he said.
Acting provincial arts and cultural affairs officer Mateyo Ngamela said he was sure that those elected to the executive committee have the knowledge and skills to manage NATAAZ.
â€œIt is through your efforts as office-bearers that will enable you contribute to the development of arts and theatre in Zambia,â€ he said.
And Mwansabombwe member of Parliament Rogers Mwewa, who was at the festival, urged the new executive to deliver to the expectations of the members.
â€œLet us perform as expected to develop theatre in Zambia, my door is open in a quest to develop arts and theatre in the country,â€ Mwewa said.
The lawmaker said theatre arts could contribute positively towards the economic growth of the country through the film industry.
The position of the vice chairman was won by Sydney Siyafwa, who got 108 votes, while his rival Boyd Kapauka managed 36 votes. Henry BJ Phiri was elected national secretary after beating his rival Isaac Kalumba.
BJ Phiri got 103 votes against Isaac Kalumba who only managed 29 votes. The new vice secretary is Mike Tembo.
Clement Muyasani went through unopposed to become NATAAZ treasurer, and he will be deputised by Gift Muneka.
Others that went through unopposed include the publicity secretary, Evans Kalandanya, as well as three committee members, namely Alick Chileshe, Andrew Mutawele and Dominic Sitamu.